Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

The antitumor agents

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial global health disorder that is rising at an alarming rate. Cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage and neuropathy are the main cause of high mortality rates among individuals with diabetes. One effective therapeutic approach for controlling hyperglycemia associated with type-2 diabetes is to target alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, enzymes that catalyzes starch hydrolysis in the intestine. At present, approved inhibitors for these enzymes are restricted to acarbose, miglitol and voglibose. Although these inhibitors retard glucose absorption, undesirable gastrointestinal side effects impede their application. Therefore, research efforts continue to seek novel inhibitors with improved efficacy and minimal side effects. Natural products of plant origin have been a valuable source of therapeutic agents with lesser toxicity and side effects. The anti-diabetic potential through alpha-glucosidase inhibition of plant-derived molecules are summarized in this review. Eight molecules (Taxumariene F, Akebonoic acid, Morusin, Rhaponticin, Procyanidin A2, Alaternin, Mulberrofuran K and Psoralidin) were selected as promising drug candidates and their pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity were discussed where available.

/pdf/a-review-of-alpha-glucosidase-inhibitors-from-plants-as-9ow8o1o38u.pdf

A review of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors from plants as potential candidates for the treatment of type-2 diabetes.

Many populations use medicinal plants as a therapeutic treatment, due to their lower cost and greater access. Among the plant species used for medicinal purposes are those of the genus Morus. The most known species are Morus alba, rubra, and nigra. This review aims to collect data from the literature, predominantly from cell and animal studies, which presents a possible nutraceutical and medicinal potential of the species Morus for use in metabolic dysfunctions. The fruits and leaves of mulberry are used for therapeutic purposes. For scientific confirmation of these effects, they were studied for laxative properties, antibacterial activity, anti-atherogenic activity, and hepatoprotective function. Furthermore, the genus Morus is recognized for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus, through its hypoglycemic action. It may also provide health benefits through immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive effects. It has been found that the Morus species have phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins that act as important antioxidants and promote beneficial effects on human health. These phytochemical compounds differ among species. Blackberry (Morus nigra) are rich in flavonoids, while the white mulberry (Morus alba) has low concentrations of flavonoids and anthocyanins. In addition, another important factor is to ensure a complete exemption of toxic risks in the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown no toxic effects by the administration of extracts of Morus species. Thus, the mulberry tree presents nutraceutical potential. It is therefore a promising alternative for medicinal products based on medicinal plants.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/2/301/pdf

Nutraceutical and Medicinal Potential of the Morus Species in Metabolic Dysfunctions.

Profile on medicinal plants used by the people of North Eastern Morocco: Toxicity concerns.

This work evaluated an ethanolic extract from Morus alba leaves for toxicity to Artemia salina, oral toxicity to mice, and antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, and triterpenes in the extract, which did not show toxicity to A. salina nauplii. No mortality and behavioral alterations were detected for mice treated with the extract (300 and 2000 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days. However, animals that received the highest dose showed reduced MCV and MCHC as well as increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity. In treatments with the extract at both 300 and 2000 mg/kg, there was a reduction in number of leukocytes, with decrease in percentage of lymphocytes and increase in proportion of segmented cells. Histopathological analysis of organs from mice treated with the extract at 2000 mg/kg revealed turgidity of contorted tubules in kidneys, presence of leukocyte infiltration around the liver centrilobular vein, and high dispersion of the spleen white pulp. The extract showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Aspergillus flavus. In conclusion, the extract contains antimicrobial agents and was not lethal for mice when ingested; however, its use requires caution because it promoted biochemical, hematological, and histopathological alterations.

/pdf/evaluation-of-toxicity-and-antimicrobial-activity-of-an-512yplwmjs.pdf

Evaluation of Toxicity and Antimicrobial Activity of an Ethanolic Extract from Leaves of Morus alba L. (Moraceae).

Given the concern about to the high incidence of cancer and low specificity of available antineoplasic drugs, Morinda citrifolia Linn is a tropical plant species with wide distribution, which had its consumption widely spread both because it is a source of nutrients and its phytotherapic properties as well as for its adaptation. The potential of tumor inhibition was done in vivo against Ehrlich Carcinoma and Sarcoma 180, a sharp reduction of weight of the tumors was obtained in comparison with the control group. The inhibition of tumor growth compared to Ehrlich carcinoma was more prominent in the dose 200 mg/kg/ip with inhibition percentage of 83.91%, on the other hand against Sarcoma 180. The greatest potential inhibition was detected at the dose of 100 mg/kg/ip with a percentage of 85.86%. Measurements of biochemical and hematological markers did not suffer drastic changes. Thus, the ethanol extract of M. citrifolia Linn showed promising antitumor effects towards the used varieties.

	Key words: Bioactivity, antitumor, Morinda citrifolia Linn, Sarcoma 180, ehrlich carcinoma.

/pdf/evaluation-of-ethanolic-extract-of-morinda-citrifolia-linn-1dha77h37w.pdf

Matheus da Silva Mesquita

Papers

Evaluation of Toxicity and Antimicrobial Activity of an Ethanolic Extract from Leaves of Morus alba L. (Moraceae).

Evaluation of ethanolic extract of Morinda citrifolia Linn for antitumor activity